Objective: To investigate the role of caregivers in early language development, and to compile a
report of suggestions for the promotion of speech.
Formatting: Times New Roman 12 pt. font, double spaced, 1" margins, proper APA style cover
page & reference page, approximately 3-4 pages in length, include in-text citations from at least (2)
scholarly journal articles (note: this does not include your textbook)
Type of activity: Naturalistic Observation & Educational Report
Directions:
Part 1 (Naturalistic Observation): Go to a public place, such as a park, shopping mall, food
court, library, school, etc., and observe one or more caregivers with infants or toddlers. Sit
close enough so that you can hear any conversation, but do not interact with the
individuals or interfere with what they are doing. Make your observations in a casual
manner and don't alarm by following them or other extreme methods. Notice behaviors
on the part of the caregiver(s) that may positively or negatively affect language acquisition
in the children they are engaging with.
Part 2 (Educational Report):
Write an educational report for parents/caregivers who want to encourage their child to
learn to speak clearly and correctly. Be sure to answer the following questions:
. What are some strategies that parents/caregivers can use to foster increased
language development in children?
. What are courses of action parents/caregivers should take if children do not appear
to be meeting language milestones?
